Healing in Brotherhood: Jake Norotsky on PTSD, Purpose, and the Wounded Warrior Project

Jake Norotsy

The following article was created from an episode of the YMyHealth podcast in which host Julie Woon sits down with Jake Norotsky, a U.S. Army veteran and Wounded Warrior Project spokesperson. Jake shares his harrowing experiences during the Iraq War, his battle with PTSD, and how connection, purpose, and support systems like the Wounded Warrior Project have helped him—and can help others—find hope and healing.

Jake, thank you for joining us. For those who aren’t familiar with your story, can you take us back to the experience in Iraq that triggered your PTSD?

Jake Norotsky: Thanks for having me. For me, PTSD came from a combination of things, but there was one mission in January 2008 during Operation Iron Harvest that stuck with me the most. I was flying in a Black Hawk helicopter with my unit during a night raid. We mistakenly thought our troops were moving in one part of the village, but it turned out to be insurgents. When our guys unknowingly approached a hidden weapons cache, they were ambushed.

We went from guiding them into launching a rescue under fire. For nearly an hour, we flew figure-eights, drawing fire away from the wounded. Our helicopter took 37 rounds that night. It was chaos, fear, and survival—something I wouldn’t fully understand the weight of until much later.

When did you first realize that you were struggling with PTSD?

PTSD hides well when you're still in the military. Hyper-alertness, constant movement, and intensity are considered good traits in a soldier. It wasn’t until I left the Army in 2015 that things unraveled. Within 30 days, I was suicidal. I lost interest in fishing—something I used to love. My relationships started breaking down. People pulled away, my wife noticed I was always exhausted or irritable. That was when I knew something was seriously wrong.

How did you eventually get the help you needed?

Honestly, I didn’t reach out myself. My wife saw how bad things were getting and contacted the Wounded Warrior Project. That’s when someone named Rich called me about something called Project Odyssey, a five-day retreat for veterans. I hung up on him the first time. He called back and said, “This wasn’t a question—you’re going.” That kind of intervention saved me. Just knowing someone cared enough to be that direct cracked the door open for healing.

Can you tell us more about the Wounded Warrior Project and the role it’s played in your life?

The Wounded Warrior Project started with a few people bringing backpacks with socks and underwear to wounded soldiers at Bethesda. That small act turned into a national organization serving over 289,000 registered warriors today.

It’s about more than just services—it’s a family. I went from being a struggling vet to a volunteer, and now I get to work on the team. Whether it’s therapy, support groups, or peer connections, it’s all about honoring and empowering warriors.

Why is peer-to-peer connection so important when dealing with PTSD?

Connection is everything. It might sound dramatic, but it’s true—connection can be the antidote to PTSD and suicide. Veterans don’t usually ask for help. But if someone close is paying attention, if they know you well, they can step in.

It’s about knowing you’re not alone. Talking to someone who’s been through it builds trust. Sometimes that’s all it takes—someone calling and saying, “How are you really doing?”

What advice would you give to someone who is struggling but afraid to ask for help?

You don’t have to do everything at once. Just take one step. If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for your family or someone you love. Go grab coffee with a friend. You don’t need to pour your heart out immediately—just start showing up for connection. Healing starts there.

What does a good day look like for you now?

PTSD doesn’t go away, but you learn to live with it. Something simple like a smell—like heat—can trigger memories, like tripping over a shoe with a foot still in it on my first day in Iraq. Some days are fine. Other days hit hard.

The key is having people around who know your patterns. My wife knows when I get quiet or isolate that something’s up. And I’ve learned to welcome that support rather than push it away.

What does PTSD Awareness Month mean to you?

PTSD isn’t just a veteran issue. And not all veterans have PTSD. It’s about trauma—whatever form it takes. The most important thing is to see people. I tell folks, “No stones.” Don’t judge. Don’t walk away. Be present. Offer coffee. Show up. That small effort can shift someone’s whole reality.

What gives you hope?

My faith. My community. And watching a new generation step up. I see young people today—high school and college students—facing struggles that mirror what veterans deal with. And I see them responding with empathy, leadership, and action.

We talk a lot about saving the world, but I tell people: start with three people. Pick three folks you’ll check on every 48 hours. And ask three to check on you. That’s how we change the culture—one bond at a time.

To learn more or get involved, visit woundedwarriorproject.org. Whether you’re seeking help or looking to help others, you don’t have to do it alone.

Want to hear more from Jake? Check out the YMyHealth podcast!